Combustion Waves in Gases

Document Type

Presentation Abstract

Presentation Date

9-24-1998

Abstract

Imagine a long, straight pipe filled with gas. The gas is ignited, and a traveling wave of combustion forms and moves down the pipe. The gas initially consists of two chemical species (one of which is possibly oxygen), and the combustion process causes the formation of a third, inert gaseous product.

This talk will present the governing equations for this system. Then, by converting to coordinates that move with the combustion wave, we can show that the whole problem reduces essentially to a system of two ordinary differential equations in a phase plane. For small amplitudes, an approximate solution will be presented, that describes the combustion wave in terms of a classical "soliton" (solitary wave). For moderate amplitude waves, very accurate numerical solutions can be obtained using a type of shooting method. Large amplitude waves ultimately form a detonation shock, and this can also be accounted for in the numerical method. This is a joint work with Bill Derrick in the Math Department.

Additional Details

Thursday, 24 September 1998
4:10 p.m. in MA 109
Coffee/Tea/Treats 3:30 p.m. in MA 104 (Lounge)

In addition, Dr. Forbes will present a Chemistry lecture, "Burning Down the House", Monday, September 21st at 4:10 p.m. in CP102.

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